David Jennings Brown Sr.

Former Bootjack Ranch owner and Pagosa Springs resident David Jennings Brown Sr. died after an 11-year battle with multiple myeloma Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, in Paradise Valley, Ariz. He was 73.

Mr. Brown was born to Harriette Birkhimer and Andrew Jennings Brown Jr. on Nov. 23, 1939, in Coronado, Calif. He grew up in Los Angeles, but his family had deep roots in Southwest Colorado.

After graduating from Loyola High School in 1958, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Claremont McKenna College in 1962 and master’s degree from The Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania in 1964.

On Aug. 1, 1964, he married Virginia McKay Larkin in Glendale, Calif. They had three daughters together before the marriage ended in divorce.

Mr. Brown’s career began in San Francisco with Newhall Land and Farming Co. In 1969, he became regional vice president for the acquisitions team of Boise Cascade Building Co., then launched his own development company, Orchard Properties, in 1973 in San Jose, Calif. He ran the company for more than 20 years, and it became recognized as one of the foremost developers and managers in Silicon Valley, his family said.

In May 1993, he married Carol Elizabeth Hesse in Los Gatos, Calif., and began building Bootjack Ranch northeast of Pagosa Springs.

“Dave set out to create a place of rest, renewal and reconnection to God for friends and acquaintances who were feeling the burnout and busyness of life,” his family said. “Dave poured his heart, soul and creativity into the development of this beautiful 3,200-acre ranch at the base of the Wolf Creek Pass.”

While living at Bootjack Ranch, the Browns served as hosts to Music in the Mountains soloists and, eventually, the entire festival orchestra, from 2002 to 2009.

“David was a joy to work with, a good businessman and true to his word on every commitment he made,” said Jim Foster, a former president of Music in the Mountains.

As Mr. Brown’s health worsened, he sold Bootjack Ranch and moved to Phoenix.